Read this excerpt from a letter by Civil War soldier Sullivan Ballou:
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
Why is this letter an important primary source document?
A.It explains the cause of the American Revolution.
B.It explains what he means by American Civilization.
C.It gives insight into what the soldiers believed.
D.It shows where the key battles occurred.
Answer:
C. It gives insight into what the soldiers believed.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary source document is a material that was available when an event was taking place and is usually kept or recorded by the person who had a first-hand experience of the event.
The use of primary sources is essential because they help to explain the event from the point of view of the person/persons that were involved in the event.
Therefore, from this excerpt of a letter by a Civil War soldier Sullivan Ballou, the letter is an important primary source document because it gives insight into what the soldiers believed.